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JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS OF 

L. H. NELSON CO., Portland, Me. 

POPULAR EDITION. 

32 pp., 8x10, profusely illustiateil. 

Little Stories of Great Pictures. 

The Storv of Longfellow. 

The Story of Washington'. 

The Story of Lincoln. 

The Courtship of Miles Standish. 

The Story of Frances Willard. 

The Story of Robert E. Lee. 

The Story of Wiiittier. 

The Story of Grant (in prpparation). 

The Story of Paul JONES(inprepaiati(iii). 

The Story of Garitkld (in prppaiaticmi 

TiiK Story of Laniiskkh (in preparation i. 

The SroHY tn' Franklin ( in preparation i. 

Paul Reyere's Ride. 

32 pp., 6x9. 
A Little Book of Conundrums. 



Also publishers of Nelson's Interna- 
tional Series of Souvenir Books, em- 
bracing all prominent cities and resorts of 
the LTnited States and the Dominion of 
Canada. 



THE STORY of 
COLUMBUS 



BY 
ADA M. KENNICOTT 

Author of 
"UNDER RED PILLARS" 



^. 




1906 

L. H. NELSON COMPANY' 

PORTLAND, MAINE 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDies Received 

MAR 26 1906 

„ Copyrleht Entry 

CLASS a XXc, No. 
/L^f(o V 

'copy b. 



Copyright, 1906 
L. H. Neison Company 






















THE STORY of COLUMBUS 




jNE hright spring day, over four hundred years ago, two 
boys loitered along the white-beached shores of the 
Mediterranean. They were each about ten years old, 
but, while one was rather tall for his age, and of fair, ruddy 
complexion, the other was stunted in size, and dark and 
thin in feature. He limped slightly, and his shoulders 
were high and inclined to bow. 

" How the waves glitter ! " exclaimed the latter ; " and leap up, as if they 
enjoyed rushing in over the sands. Sometimes they seem to mock me because 
I cannot run and play with them, like other lads." " Let us say, rather," 
returned the other, "that they clap their hands for joy, and to praise Him who 
made them. The glad, bright waves ! They seem always trying to tell me of 
the lands beyond them, which some day I hope to see." 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



" Is that why you study so hard, Christopher?" asked his comrade, toss- 
ing, as he spoke, a pebble into the white fringe of the surf. 

" Yes, Bartolo, my father cannot give me much schooling ; so I must make 
the most of it ; and since I want to follow the sea, it is needful to learn, as 
soon as I can, the things that a sailor needs to know." 

" If I were only strong enough," murmured Bartolo, " I would go with 
vou. Father says it is no wonder that more than half the Genoese boys go to 
sea ; for the land is so walled up by mountains, and is so full of fighting and 
troubles, that the most they can do is to follow the sea that rolls so near and 
beckons them away." 

" Well," answered Christopher, " it is no wonder we love the sea. We 
live by it, we play in it. We hear the stories the sailors tell, and we want to 
go where they have been and see what they have seen. But I have not told 
you. I am going to the University at Pavia, for a term ; and then school 
will be over for me." 

" And when you come back will you teach me what vmi have learned ? 
Oh, why am I so poor that 1 cannot go, too ? Poor ! and ugly ! and hunch- 
back I Ah, me ! ah, me ! And you so straight, and tall, and beautiful ! No, 
I will not envy you, my Christopher ! You have been so kind to me." 

"We must each be content with the lot which is given us, so the padre 
says," answered Christopher, " There is a reason for it all. God loves the 
sparrow just as well as the eagle, and the hyssop as the cedar." 

Children in those days did not write letters, so the lonely lad in Genoa 
and the busy student at Pavia, knew no more of each other till the term was 
done. To his young brothers and Bartolo, Christopher now seemed a wonder 
of learning, but for a while he worked patiently with his father, in the little 
woolen factory which had come down from their ancestors. 

Then, near his fourteenth birthday, his sea-faring relative, Admiral 
Colombo, visited them one day, saw the lad was promising, and sailed away with 
him. A brave and hardy man was Admiral Colombo, as one had need to be 
in those days, who sometimes went in government service, but oftener com- 
manded a squadron of his own. Pirates were plenty, also private navies, kept 



THE STOR^' OF COLUMBUS 



by noblemen who were each kings in their own domain, ;ind often squabbled. 
A merchantman was never sure of getting peaceably through those narrow 
seas. When Columbus was about nineteen, John of Anjou came to Genoa, 
for help to regain the kingdom ot his father, King Rene. All the bravest of 
the little republic rushed to his banner. You may be sure the Admiral was there, 
and with him )'oung Christopher. During the four years' war, the King came 
to depend so much upon the young sailor that he sent him upon the dangerous 
errand of cutting out a galley from the harbor of Tunis. In such bold adven- 
tures, the years swept on. 

A nephew of the admiral grew up, a wild corsair, who made himself so 
teirible that the Moorish mothers would say to their children; "Hush! be 
good, or Columbo will get you." 

Christopher sometimes sailed with him, as he had with his uncle. One 
time they attacked four richly-laden galleys on their way home from Flanders. 
The battle was terrible. All day long it lasted. The vessels were fastened 
together and the crews fought hand-to-hand. The ships were set ablaze by 
fiery missiles and, 
finallv, the crews 
cast themselves into 
the sea. Tossing 
alone on the waves at 
night, Christopher 
must have thought 
of home, and the 
bright visions he and 
Bartolo had painted 
(if the future. Was 
this to be the end? 
He would not give 
up. What was that 
floating near? Ah! 
an oar. He reached 




" Cutting out a galley from the harbor ot" Tunis" 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



for it, — caught i t . 
Could he swim to the 
shore, two leagues 
away ? It was a weary 
task, but he accom- 
pHshed it ; and once 
more felt the welcome 
land beneath his feet. 
This seems to be the 
end of Christopher's 
life with his lawless 
relative. He pre- 
ferred studying the 
discoveries the Portu- 
guese were making, 

Bartolo always 
took the liveliest inter- 
est in Christopher's 
adventures. With a 
brave spirit, he, too, 
made the most of his 
few advantages. By 

doing the same tasks as other children he increased his strength. He also 

invented a system of very useful exercises. His shoulders lowered and 

straightened, his limp disappeared. He was now, though somewhat short in 

stature, neither awkward nor unpleasing. 

Twenty-five years from the day we first saw him, he was walking near the 

same spot, but not in the same company. Two men, both younger than 

himself, were with him. 

" Bartolo," said one, looking off at the sails, spread to a homeward wmd, 

"do you think our brother will ever come again? We all long for him, but 

the mother most of all." 




What was that floating near r Ah\ an oar " 



THE S r O R V OF COLUMBUS 



" A sailor told me not long since," answered Bartolo, " that he had met a 
man in Lisbon, who asked after us. He was ruddy and fair, but his hair was 
white, and they called him Christobal Colon. The sailor said he uas a great 
navigator, who drew maps and charts to show how the world looked, and 
taught strange things that could not be true. For instance, we know that this 
sea is called the Mediterranean because it is the center of the earth ; and that 
beyond the lands which border it, lies that fearful circle of fire over which the 
sun runs his course with such terrible heat that the earth beneath is only burn- 
ing sand, and the waves which beat on its shores boil as thev break. Then, 
on the west, spreads that endless ocean where he who sails too far, must go on 
till death finds him. 

" But the Portuguese have long been creeping farther and farther along the 
rocky shores of Africa, trying to go around it. Well, this Colon said all this 
venturing was right ; and he was sure that it anvone would sail straight west 
he could cross that dreadful ocean and come to India, where the rivers roll 
over sands ot gold, and from which our ships bring the silks, and spices, and 
precious stones that make our country and Venice so rich." 

" What strange ideas men will get," said Bartholomew. " But 1 think 
our Christopher sent us money by that same sailor." 

Here Diego, who was tired of talk so far beyond him, interrupted them. 
" See ! " exclaimed he, " yonder comes a stranger ! " 

And truly they saw approaching them, a man of majestic bearing, with 
clear, gray eyes, a fair, bright complexion, and hair as white as snow. " Can 
you tell me, my friends," he asked, " anything of one Christopher Columbus, 
or, as you speak it, Columbo ? " 

Bartolo's face lighted with joy at that voice, and he sprang forward crying, 
— " You are he ! Praise to God ! But how changed ! " 

" And >o«, too, my Bartolo. Are these the brothers whom I left so long 
ago?" 

"Aye," answered Bartholomew. " And who are glad to thank him who has 
paid their schooling. We were just wondering if vou would ever come again." 

" But you do not ask for your parents, — " put in Diego. 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



" Because 1 have 
seen them," returned 
Christopher, with a 
smile. " Did you not 
know home would be 
my first thought ? 
They told me you were 
here. Let us now go 
back to them for mv 
visit must be short." 

The account 
which Columbus gave 
his family, at different 
times, we will relate at 
once. " 1 found Port- 
ugal," he said, "full of 
interest in geograph- 
ical discoveries. We 
learned more about 
that wonderful instru- 
ment, the compass, 
" One Christopher Columbus " ^j^ich enables US to sail 

out of land without fear. I met Dona Felipa Perestrello, whose father was a 
famous navigator, and had been governor of Ponto Santo. After our marriage 
Felipa's mother brought me all her husband's charts and papers, and told me 
what she knew of his expeditions. This showed me all the routes and plans ot 
the Portuguese. But I do not think, with them, that the shortest way to 
India is to go around Africa. I believe that, by sailing westward on the 
Atlantic, we can reach the golden island of Cipango and the country of Cathay, 
where Marco Polo tells us the monarch's palaces are roofed with gold, and 
their cups set with jewels. And I am convinced that I am chosen, by 
Heaven, to bring the ends of the world together, as Holy Writ says shall be 




lO 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



done. But the expense of the journey is more than I can meet. I wrote to 
my native city, to offer her the first chance to help me in this grand enterprise, 
which will enrich any nation that undertakes it. But she thinks nothing of it. 
So I shall go back to Portugal." This Columbus did, after providing for the 
support of his aged father. 

The King of Portugal, to whom he next applied, liked the scheme. He, 
however, referred it to a junto, or committee. They called it a foolish idea; 
but, when the King still favored it, they persuaded him to an act that was dis- 
graceful indeed. He asked Columbus to leave his plans for the voyage with 
him, to consider. He, then, sent out a ship, said to be going to the Cape 
Verde Islands with provisions: instead of which it followed Columbus' route. 
After going westward for some days, it met stormy weather. The pilots, dis- 
mayed at the waste of wild, tossing waves stretching before them, turned back, 
declaring the thing impossible. 

Columbus was so angry at such dishonesty, that he left the country, with 
his son, Diego. He tried Genoa again, then Venice. Both were in trouble, 
and could not help him : so he turned to Spain, where there were dukes as 
rich as kings. All but one of these thought his idea only a dream. That one 
feared his government would be angry if he undertook it, so he wrote to the 
queen. She replied that he should send Columbus to her. The king and 
queen of Spain had separate kingdoms ; but public acts had to bear their united 
seals. King Ferdinand was cold-hearted and scheming : Oueen Isabella, mild 
and beautiful, yet strong, true, and noble. 

Columbus arrived in the midst of a great war. Isabella could not see 
him; but, the next year, Ferdinand called a council of the most learned men 
of the kingdom to meet and listen to him. 

Before these great men, in their grand and glittering robes, appeared 
Columbus, a simple mariner ; yet there was a majesty in his bearing and a quiet 
dignity in his speech, that gained the respect of the more intelligent and learned. 
Still, most of them said that it was very conceited in this man to suppose he 
knew more than all those who had studied the form of the world, and the many 
famous navigators who had been sailing about it for several thousand years. 



1 1 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




" Ferdinand was cold-hearted and scheming" 



12 



THE S 1^ O R Y OF COLUMBUS 




" yueen Isabella mild and teauuiui, yet strong, true and noble" 



1.? 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




" Before these great men in their grand and glittering robes, appeared Columbus, a simple mariner " 

Others accused him of going against the Bible. One asked, — "Is there 
any person so foohsh as to beheve that there are antipodes with their feet 
opposite to ours . people who walk with their heels upward and their heads 
hanging down ' That there is a part of the world in which all things are 
topsy-turvy ; where the trees grow with their branches downward, and where 
it rains, hails, and snows upwards. 

Another held that, even if the earth were a sphere, only the northern part 
could be inhabited, and the other would remain a waste of water, or a chaos. 
Others said that even if a ship did reach India in such a way, she could never 
return : for no ship was ever yet known to sail up hill." 

Columbus dealt very patiently with their objections. He showed them 
that the wisest men of all ages believed that both hemispheres were habitable, 
though separated by a zone ot fire at the equator. 

" But there is no such zone," said he, " for 1, myself, have voyaged to the 
equator, and found the land rich in fruits and pastures, with many inhabitants. 

14 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



And as tor going against the Holy Scriptures, — have 1 not loved thetn from 
my youth? And do they not all proclaim that these very things I wish to do, 
shall be done ? Listen to me ; and by us shall the ends of the earth be brought 
together." Then, throwing down his books and charts, his majestic form 
drawn to its full height ; his clear, gray eyes kindling with enthusiasm ; his fair 
face glowing with prophetic fire ; he poured forth those grand texts of Holy 
Writ which he firmly believed foretold his great discovery. 

Among those won by his eloquence and convinced bv his reasoning, was 
the learned triar, Diego de Deza, who brought over many others. From time 
to time, like meetings were held: but spring came, and new campaigns were 
opened, with the matter still undecided. During his years of waiting, Colum- 
bus was never idle, but won over many to his interests. 

The rulers of Spain were not ready to aid him, nor were they willing to 
let him go; so they kept him on with promises. 

Though he often fought bravely in the wars, and distinguished himself, 
yet through the season of festivities which followed, he met with jeers and ill- 
treatment, from the ignorant and thoughtless. Even the children touched their 
foreheads as he passed, for they were told that he was a madman. 

When a new war was opened the sovereigns said they would treat with him 
at its close, but he had had enough of idle promises, and with his son Diego, 
set out on foot from the place where he had wasted so many precious years 
and been so shabbily treated. As they neared the little seaport of Palos, hungry 
and footsore, they stopped at the gate of the convent of Santa JMaria de Rabida. 
Though too proud to beg tor himself, Columbus asked a little bread and water 
tor his child. 

As they stood there, the prior of the convent, named Juan Perez, passed 
by, it would seem by a special Providence. Struck by the distinguished air 
of the stranger, and noting that he was a foreigner, he began to converse with 
him. He learned his story, and saw that this great project was about to be 
lost to Spain, forever. He sent for a scientific friend to advise with him ; and 
he, in turn, invited other;- to meet and talk with Columbus. One of these, 
Martin Alonzo Pinzon, was the head of a family of wealthy and adventurous 



15 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




" Convent ot Santa Mana de Rabida " 
navigators. He offered to help the enterprise with his purse and in person, 
and to bear the expenses of Columbus, if he would go back to court. 

The friar, Juan Perez, who had once been confessor to Isabella, wished 
to write at once to her, and besought Columbus to wait at the convent until 
she should be heard from. In two weeks, the pilot who acted as messenger 
brought a reply from the queen, thanking Juan Perez and begging him to 
come to her immediately. The warm-hearted triar saddled his mule at mid- 
night, and departed joyfully, to plead the cause of his guest. So well did he 
succeed that the queen desired Columbus to come to her, and sent a generous 
sum for clothing and expenses. 

So we behold him again setting out for camp, halt-unwilling to run the 
risk of another disappointment. 

He arrived just in time to see the crescent, which for eight hundred years 
had held its place upon the highest tower of the Alhambra, come down before 



16 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



the cross. But he looked with indifference upon the grand display, and wild 
rejoicings ; so small did the triumph seem to him, beside that he hoped for. 

The sovereigns at last kept their word with Columbus, and appointed 
persons of importance to treat with him. But these courtiers would not agree to 
his terms , which were that he should be admiral and viceroy over the countries 
he might discover, and have one-tenth of the gains. So the affair was broken 
off, and he started for France. Those who accepted his views were in great dis- 
tress. One, Luis Saint x^ngel, hurried to the queen and urged her to prevent 
so great an evil. 

" For," said he, " consider what triumpli vou will afford vour enemies, and 
what regret to yourself, if some other power accomplish this enterprise. This 
man, remember, offers to bear one-eighth of the expense, and all \()ii would risk 
would be two vessels, and about three thousand crowns. How small i'- this, 
besides what you willingly spend for a single battle ! And it max bring a 
world to your feet." The queen hesitated. Saint Angel stood breathless. 




Columbus' room in tlie Cunvcni 
17 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




" The Alhambra" 



At last she exclaimed, " I will undertake it for niy crown of Castile, and 
will pledge my jewels for the money." 

" That is needless," he replied, " As your treasurer, I will advance it." 

Columbus, going on his lonely wa\', heard the clatter of horses' hoofs 
behind him. It was a courier from the queen, bidding him return. 

" No," he answered, " I go back no more, to be cheated by faithless 
promises." 

" But this time it is sure," pleaded the courier. " The money is ready 
and the queen's word is pledged." 

So Columbus returned to Santa Fe ; %\here he had immediate audience of 
the queen, who received him with kindness that made amends for past neglect. 
The articles of agreement were signed April ", 149;. Before his departure 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



from the court, Isabella showed Columbus a great mark of favor. She appointed 
his son Diego, page to Prince Juan, the heir apparent, with an allowance for 
his support. This honor was granted only to the sons of people of distin- 
guished rank. 

Thus, at last, after eighteen years spent in struggle, disappointment, 
poverty, neglect, and ridicule, Columbus saw his efforts crowned with success. 

As the expedition was to sail from Falos, he joyfully returned to the con- 
vent, where Juan Perez, who was at the root of his success, received him with 
open arms. 

Columbus lost no time in beginning his preparations for the voyage. The 
queen had ordered the authorities at Palos to have two caravels, with their 
crews, ready for sea within ten days. 

These caravels were light vessels having decks only at the ends, or along 
the sides, such as woidd not, now, be thought seaworthy. The ignorance and 
superstition which he had had to fight, all along, now put new obstacles in his 
way. When it came out on what errand the expedition was bound, the owners 
of the vessels refused to furnish them, and the boldest seamen shrank from 
going. All kinds of fearfvd tales were spread abroad abo\it the regions of the 
unknown deep, and weeks passed with nothing accomplished. 

Then the sovereigns ordered that ships and crews be pressed into service, 
but this only roused tumult and confusion, without effecting anything. 
Finally, Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his brother Vincente Yanez, influential 
navigators, offered to go, and furnished one vessel. Two other ships, with 
their crews, were pressed into service, and consequently, made trouble all the 
way. 

Early Friday morning, August 3, 1492, the people of Palos watched the 
three ships sail out of the harbor, with tears and gloom, feeling that they should 
never see their friends again. 

Next morning, the Pinta's rudder broke loose. The men took this as a 
bad omen, but Columbus told them that no omen could be e\'il to those whose 
designs were good. He felt sure the rudder had been tampered with, which 
was far from cheering. When they had left the Canaries, ami were out of 

19 



THE STORY OP^ COLUMBUS 




"The people of Palos watched the three ships sail out of the harbor, with tears and gloom" 

sight of land, thev moaned and wailed, calling themselves wretches doomed to 
destruction. 

Columbus told them there was no danger, as he, himself, had voyaged 
much farther from land; and that they were sure of great riches at the end of 
their journey. 

But as days passed, and still they plowed over wav^es that seemed endless ; 
the faces of the men grew dark and threatening: they muttered in corners: 
they shook their fists and called the admiral a vain-glorious cheat : they even 
plotted to throw him overboard, and go back to Spain and say that he had 
fallen into the sea while looking at the stars. It is simply wonderful that he 
could in any \^';iy manage such a terrified and turbident crowd. Sometimes 
signs of land would appear. Then they would calm down, only to grumble 



20 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



and threaten anew, as none was reached. Though these signs increased daily, 
Columbus felt he could not much longer keep control ; and was greatly relieved 
when the signs became proofs. Singing birds flew around them. The Pinta 
picked up a curiously wrought staff, and saw a cane, floating among weeds 
fresh-torn from the shore. That evening, he reminded his men of God's good- 
ness in leading them, without a storm, over the longest \'oyage ever made, and 
promised a reward to the person who should first see land. Before midnight, 
he saw a light on shore, like a torch carried from one home to another. At 
two o'clock in the morning, land was seen, and the ships lay to and waited for 
the dawn. 

What must have been the feelings of Columbus ! Over what countless 
obstacles, ciifliculties and dangers he had triumphed ! The mystery of the 
ocean was solved. His theory, which had been derided as the vision of a 
madman, was established. The glory of his name would endure while the 
world lasted. Yet he did not dream that two vast continents, never even 
imagined, lay before him. He expected to find the island then called Cipango, 
now known as Japan, and the country which Marco Polo named Cathay, and 
we call China. 

All that great stretch of country went, then, by the name of The Indies^ 
and was supposed to abound in gold, gems, and spices. If he could only have 
known how much greater a thing he had done than he had planned ! But it 
was his fate never to know. 

We read that no eye was closed, on ship-board, that night. All were 
watching when the dawn of that great day, Friday, October 12, 1492, came up 
out of the east, over a land which was nevcrniore to He hidden from all save its 
humble dwellers. Under the sweet, pink, i.iorning light the voyager saw " a 
beautiful island covered with trees, like a continual orchard." People came 
rushing to the shore, from all parts of the wood. They seemed to be lost 
in amazement at sight of the strangers. 

Columbus, robed in scarlet, and bearing the royal standard, entered his 
own boat. The Pinzons each carried the banner of the enterjirise blazoned with 
a green cross between the royal initials, surmounted with crowns. 

21 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




' What must have been the feelings of Columbus! ' 



22 



THE SrORY OF COLUMBUS 



As they approached the shore, Columbus noted, gladly, how soft and pure 
the air seemed, how transparent the sea looked, over shell-strewn beaches ; and 
that the vegetation was beautiful and luxuriant, while gleaming, unknown fruits 
weighed down the trees. When his feet at last touched the hoped-for land, 
he threw himself upon his knees; he kissed the earth ; and gave thanks to God 
with tears of joy. The rest followed his example. Then, rising, he drew his 
sword, displayed the royal standard, and took solemn possession of the land, 
in the name of the Spanish sovereigns, naming it San Salvador. He then 
called upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him, as admiral and 
viceroy, representing the sovereigns. 




" Then, rising, he drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and took solemn possession 
of the land, in the name of the Spanish sovereigns, naming it San Salvador" 



^.^ 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




•' Thev crowded around the admiral, kissed his hands, and embraced him. " 
When you think of it, it seems rather odd to walk into a strange country 
and claim it in such a matter-of-course way , but, in those days, might made 
right, even more than it does now. 

The crew, who had been so sure, all along, that they were doomed to 
destruction, now gave way to unbounded joy. They crowded around the admi- 
ral, kissed his hands, and embraced him. Those who had been most fractious 
appeared now the most devoted. Those who had been most insolent crouched 
at his feet, begging his pardon and promising perfect obedience in future. 

As for the natives, they beheld the ships, at dawn, and thought them 
huge monsters which had risen out of the deep. They watched their motions 
with dreadful anxiety, believing the sails white wings, w hich moved them about 
so easily. But, when the boats reached the shore, and strange beings, covered' 



24 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



with gleaming steel and bright colored garnients, stepped upon the beach, they 
fled in terror to the woods. Then, as no one pursued, they stole back, pros- 
trating themselves with signs of adoration. They gathered, admiringly, round 
the strangers ; touching their beards timidly, and struck by the whiteness of 
their hands, they now thought the ships had descended from above, on their 
wide, white wings; and that these wonderful beings lived in the skies. 

The Spaniards, also, looked curiously at the natives, whose like they had 
never seen. They were quite naked, and their faces and bodies were painted. 
They had pleasant features, fine eyes and foreheads, and gentle manners. We 
have not space to follow Columbus in his cruising among his lovely islands, 
which he called the West Indies. 

He still met with niany trials, the worst being that the Pinta's commander, 
Martin Pinzon, before so friendly and trustable, deserted him and sailed away 
on his own account. 

Early in January, Columbus set out on his return. Two days later, the 
Pinta joined him, Pinzon making a false excuse for his conduct. When 
Columbus found that he had seized some natives to sell in Spain, as slaves, he 
obliged him to return them to their homes, with presents. This made Pinzon 
still more unfriendly. 

If the weather had l)een as stormy on the outward voyage as on the return, 
Columbus could not have discovered the New World. They were pursued bv 
such furious tempests that they often despaired of reaching home. In one of 
these, the ships became separated and Columbus, driven upon the Portuguese 
coast, was obliged to anchor at the mouth of the Tatrus. 

When the Lisbon people heard of this wonderful barque, laden with people 
and products of a freshly-discovered world, they were wild with amazement and 
curiosity. 

For days, the river was covered with boats, and the vessel thronged with 
distinguished visitors. Many grumbled because their king had lost this great 
discovery and honor to their country. 

The king sent for Columbus, and asked him to give an account of his 
adventures. He received him as an equal, but, while seeming; to listen with 



25 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 




" Santa Maria " 



26 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



pleasure, was angry with himself for rejecting this splendid enterprise. He 
even tried to make out that the discoveries really belonged to Portugal, and 
held a meeting with his councillors about it. Some advised to assassinate the 
admiral, but the king woidd not hear of that. Others said, " Let him go to 
Spain, but send out an armament to seize the new country." 

He was, therefore, escorted to his ship, with great honors, and reached 
Palos, March i <, 1493. 

You remember how gloomily the people of that port had bidden the sailors 
good bye, expecting never to see them again. When they had thought of 
them it had been as driven about over desolate, watery wastes ; or swallowed 
up by the monsters which, to them, peopled the unknown sea. And now, 
behold! One of the lost ships was sailing up the river! She came on, she 
anchored, — her boats touched the shore. 

What was this ? She was returning in triumph. She had discovered a 
new world. Some of its people, and many of its wonderfid products, were on 
board. 

All Palos was overjoyed. Bells rang, shops were closed, — all was hurry 
and tumult. A grand procession marched to the principal church, to thank 
God for this magnificent event. Wherever Columbus appeared, he was greeted 
with cheers and praises. Did any remember how, only a year before, he had 
humbly asked bread for his child at the gate of their convent? 

That same night, while the pe?ls were still ringing from the towers, the 
Pinta, commanded by Martin Pinzon, sailed up the river. It had been driven 
by the storm into the port of Bayonne. 

While it lay there, Pinzon seems to have thought, " Columbus is probably 
lost. I will write to the sovereigns about the country I have discovered, and 
ask permission to come and tell them of it." Then, he had hastened to his 
native port of Palos, expecting to meet with a grand reception. But, when he 
entered the harbor, there was the Admiral's vessel, riding at anchor; and the 
town was ringing with his praises. Quietly he slipped into his boat and went, 
privately, to his home. He seemed to feel the honors paid to Columbus as 
so much against himself. 

27 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



The sovereigns' answer to his letter rebuked his conduct, and forbade him 
to appear at court. His grief at this increased his illness, so that in a few days 
he died. 

Poor man ! He had done much for the cause, and might have had a large 
share of the glory, if he had not lost all by one mean action. We see from 
this how needful it is to be, not only sometimes, but always, true to ourselves 
and others. 

The Spanish sovereigns were dazzled by this new, great empire, added to 
their own so easily, with small cost and no warfare. They sent tor Columbus 
to come, at once, to court. He gladly obeyed. His lame was already spread 
abroad. Wherever he appeared, people thronged to see him, and the air was 
rent with cheers. His journev was hindered by the crowds which pressed 




" Thev sent for Columbus to come, at once, to court " 



28 



THE STORY OF C O L U M BUS 




" The sovereigns received him as an equal " 
about him and the Imlians, who seemed to them like beings from another 
planet. 

His passage through the country was like the "progress " of a king. As 
he drew near Barcelona, a \ast concourse of nobles and courtiers came forth to 
meet him. " His entrance into the city was like one of those triumphs which 
the Romans decreed to their conquerers." One could scarcely get through 
the streets for the midtitudcs. The windows and balconies were crowded ; the 
roots covered with eager spectators. 

The sovereigns received him as an equal; and when he hail, at their request 
told the wonderfid story ot his ad\'entures, they sank on their knees and 
gave thanks, with tears ot joy. All present tollowed their example and, as the 
noble strains of the Te Deum Laudamus rose from the choir, all hearts 
seemed to go with them, heavenward. 



29 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



The whole civilized world hailed the news of the discovery with wonder 
and delight. Columbus was treated as a member of the royal family. The 
Grand Cardinal, Mendoza, invited him to a banquet, and gave him the most 
honorable place at the table. This made one of his courtiers so jealous that 
he rudely asked Columbus whether he did not suppose there were other men 
in Spain who could discover the West Indies, if he had not. 

Columbus was always very shrewd, and quick of thought. Holding up 
an egg, he asked the company to make it stand on end. When all had tried, 
and failed, he tapped the end on the table, enough to break it, and left it 
standing. 

This story has been told many times; but it always teaches two useful 
lessons, — one is, that there is almost always some way to do a difficult thing ; 
the other, that it seems easy enough, after someone has shown the way. 

Columbus had now no lack of friends, but he prized most those who had 
helped him when he was poor and obscure. 

He departed on his second voyage, in great state, with a fleet of three large 
ships and fourteen caravels: the crews hurrying joyfully on board, with friends 
merrily envying them the voyage. 

The Admiral, tall and commanding, was the center of admiration. 

His old friend, Bartolo, and his younger brother, now Don Diego, were 
with him, but Bartholomew had gone to England, to lay his brother's project 
before the king, about the time that Columbus left Portugal; and nothing had 
since been heard from hini. 

On one of his exploring tours in the New World, Columbus was taken 
violently ill, and by long unconscious. Great was his joyful surprise, when he 
revived, to find his favorite brother beside him. Bartholomew having been 
taken prisoner and plundered by pirates, much time had passed before he could 
reach England. The king received him kindly, and agreed to help the enter- 
prise. Hastening to Spain with the good tidings, he was met, at Paris, by the 
news that the discovery was made; and his brother had returned in triumjih. 
He reached Spain just after Columbus left for his second voyage. The sover- 
eigns gave him command of three provision ships and sent him to overtake the 



30 



THE STORY OF COLUMBUS 



tlcet. So, in that coi;ntry which 
was but their dream when they 
parted, they met again. 

It would be pleasant to end 
our story here: for, by the intrigues 
of his enemies, Columbus was sent 
back from his third voyage in 
chains, which he orderetl buned 
with him, " as an example of the 
gratitude of kings." 

The sovereigns declared that 
this ill-treatment was no fault of 
theirs, and received him, with 
honors, at court. 

But, after the queen died, "The country he discovered was named for another" 
Ferdinand neglected him,- the moneys due him were not paid ; the country he 
discovered was named tor another , and he died a poor and disappointed man. 

Then King Ferdinand built a monument to his memory, on which was 
inscribed, — 

" To Cdstilc and L,co?i Columbics gave a New Woi^ld'''' 





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